aulophobia

I'll have to remember this when Raisin's older, in case he develops a strange, "unexplained" fear of flutes.

This Christmas, Grandma and Grandpa S. gave him a sweet, multi-piece set of wooden instruments, including a small sampling of "wind instruments" -- a flute, a harmonica and everyone's favorite, the kazoo.

Today, after serenading him with a beautiful flute, um, er, serenade, I handed it back to little e and told him to try. After several failed attempts at producing any sound, he gave it everything he got, and blew the end of the flute as if his life depended on it. At that moment, a very loud flute-like "TWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!" came out and instantly, he started to cry and shoved the flute away.

Yes, apparently, enough cases of flute phobia have been documented to merit naming it. If you don't believe me, go here: http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/problem_detail.asp?SDID=319:1399

So, while the kid does play a mean triangle, a career as a flautist is probably not in his future.